By Christina Hermoso
Hundreds of maroon clad devotees of the Black Nazarene from around the country are expected to join Tuesday’s procession of replicas of the revered image through the streets of Quiapo, Manila at 2 p.m. as a prelude to the much anticipated Traslacion procession of the revered Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno on Thursday, January 9.
A young Catholic devotee wipes the face of the replica of the Black Nazarene during the blessing of the replicas near Quiapo church in Manila on January 7, 2019 (Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP/ FILE PHOTO)
Monsignor Hernando Coronel, rector of the Quiapo Church, will lead the blessing of the replicas after the procession.
Devotees of the Black Nazarene have been converging at the Quiapo Church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or St. John the Baptist Parish) since December 31 for the annual parish thanksgiving mass and procession, as well as to attend the novena masses at 6 p.m., which will be celebrated until Wednesday, January 8.
The procession of the replicas of the Nazareno traditionally showcases not only centuries-old personal collections of sacred images that have been cared for and passed on from generations of devotees, but also the Filipinos’ deep faith, trust, and devotion to the Black Nazarene.
On Thursday, January 8, devotees will gather at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, where the Black Nazarene will be brought for an overnight vigil, and where a series of activities, including holy masses, reading of vespers, the “pahalik,” will be held before the much-anticipated grand procession that will bring the image back to the Quiapo Church on Thursday.
The Traslacion procession recalls the transfer of the Black Nazarene image the Recollect Church in Intramuros, Manila to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in 1787. This year marks the 13th time that the Black Nazarene procession will start outside the Quiapo Church. The first time was in 2007 during the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the feast.